On Thursday the 24th of November 51 students from 1st and 2nd year and 4 teachers set off from Moyne at 4.30AM on the first leg their trip to Manchester for 2016. The coach delivered the group to Dublin Port and we boarded the ferry for the 8.05 sailing to Holyhead in Wales. The crossing was smooth and the students enjoyed al the on-board facilities, such as the cinema and games room. We then re-boarded the coach and drove from Holyhead to the outskirts of Manchester where we stopped from some well-deserved refreshments!!Upon arrival at our hotel accommodation we checked in and dropped off our luggage. The students were eager to get on the road to experience the sights and sounds of the Trafford shopping centre, one of the biggest centres in Europe. They had two and a half hours to browse the shops and to get some food. This trip to the Trafford centre is one of the highlights of the trip every year. The Christmas displays are in place and it is truly a spectacular location to visit.

At 6.30PM we were on board the coach again heading for Old Trafford. The excitement was building on the coach for the duration of this short journey. A great cheer went up when we made the final turn into the coach park- we had arrived!!The game itself was a great spectacle. United scored four goals and the students got to really experience the “Theatre of Dreams” in full swing. Even those who may not support the Reds really got into the game and thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere.

After the game we returned to our hotel for a much deserved rest. The following morning after breakfast we returned to Old Trafford to take a tour of the stadium and museum. The group was split into two smaller groups and were taken around the entire stadium by a guide. We got to sit in the dug-outs and to visit the dressing room and media suites. It was great way to finish off our time in Manchester.

We then proceeded to travel back to Holyhead to meet the ferry. Luckily this too was a smooth crossing. The final leg of the trip took us from Dublin back to the familiarity of Co. Longford. We were meet by excited parents delighted to see their children back home safely from their big adventure!!

As a life experience this was huge for these young students. For many it was their first time abroad without their parents. They got to experience a whole array of new things. The importance of managing their money correctly, the importance of being punctual and of course acting in a mannerly fashion were to name but a few of the life skills which were further developed on this trip.The teachers who accompanied the group on the trip would like commend each and every one of them on their conduct which was second to none. Their good behaviour is a credit to their school and to their parents.​Looking to Manchester 2017 already!!